AMES — Junior Sam Richardson will be the starting quarterback for Iowa State on Aug. 30, Coach Paul Rhoads announced Monday.

Richardson, who started fall camp taking reps after sophomore Grant Rohach, started eight games at quarterback last season for the Cyclones. He threw for 1,397 yards and 11 touchdowns while completing 55 percent of his passes.

The Winter Park, Fla., native struggled with ankle injury throughout last season as well as a jammed thumb, but Richardson has been waiting for his chance in fall camp to prove himself as a capable starter.

“I’m excited,” Richardson said. “Obviously, going into the season this is what I wanted, so it’s a nice relief that I will be back there.”